If you’ve ever invited people over for a dinner party only to find yourself suddenly questioning which flatware, glassware or serving pieces to use, you’re not alone.
Knowing where to invest your money in the kitchen and dining room can be surprisingly tricky. We tend to know where it’s worth spending in other areas of the home—a good-quality mattress, a functional yet stylish bed frame, a high-performance TV—but when it comes to the heart of the home, many of us still default to the basics.
The Best Kitchen And Dining Essentials, According To marie claire:
Well, consider this your turning point. I’ve spoken to two experts to help decode exactly where it’s worth investing—and where you can afford to save—when it comes to your kitchen and dining essentials. Because the next time you host, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be done in style.
Sharing his best tips and tricks is Loui Burke, otherwise known as your “friend in home and hosting” (although his actual title is creative director and design educator), who you’ve undoubtedly seen on your FYP. Burke has built a loyal following for his thoughtful approach to home and hosting, while occasionally sharing his opinions on the things he’s fed-up of seeing online. Most importantly, he knows how to spot a good investment piece anywhere in the home.
“For me, an investment piece needs to earn its place through the combination of quality, longevity and versatility,” Burke shares. “It should be something you use regularly, not something so precious it lives in a cupboard. I also think good design matters.”
Also sharing her secrets is Shiza Shahid, co-founder of Our Place, one of my favourite cookware brands to date (and yes, I may be a little biased). If stylish, hardworking cookware is your idea of a kitchen essential, you’ll want to pay attention.
“For me, the pieces worth investing in are the ones you use every single day,” Shahid tells us. “We often think about investment pieces as furniture or décor, but cookware is such a big part of daily life.”
So, want to know the details of what these experts recommend? Consider this your guide to the kitchen and dining pieces actually worth spending your money on.
Read: Fashion Girls Know A Good Tablescape Is Just As Important As A Good Outfit
Kitchen Essentials
When it comes to cooking and serving food—whether for your family or a group of friends at a dinner party—having the right equipment can make all the difference.
The key to having great kitchen pieces isn’t necessarily having items that fill your cupboards, but about having the right pieces that earn their place by being genuinely useful, versatile, and visually appealing.
“The best kitchen investments, to me, are the things you love having around, you’re happy to leave out on display, and find yourself reaching for again and again,” Shahid explains. “A beautiful set of non-toxic non-stick pans like Our Place’s Always Pan is where I’d start.”
As for why non-stick cookware makes such a smart investment, Shahid says, “It’s one of those things that makes cooking easier no matter how confident you are in the kitchen, and you’ll reach for it for everything from eggs in the morning to dinner at the end of the day.”
But it’s not just cookware that can make a difference when you’re entertaining. Appliances that help take some of the pressure out of preparing a meal can be equally worthwhile—particularly when you’re cooking for a crowd.
“A family-sized, larger-capacity air fryer has been such a game changer for me when I’m entertaining,” she tells us. “It gives you so much more space to cook multiple dishes at once, or keep something warm while you finish something else. I love cooking for people, but I also want to be present once everyone arrives, and having that extra capacity makes it so much easier to get everything to the table at the same time.”
If you’re starting on a budget, and only want to go with the essentials, Shahid has that covered, too.
“I’d start with one or two pieces that can do more than one job,” she explains. “Beautiful ceramic cookware is a great example because it can live on your stovetop, do the cooking and then come straight to the table when you’re entertaining. You don’t need separate serving dishes or a cupboard full of things you only bring out for guests.”
marie claire‘s Picks:
OUR PLACE
Always Pan Duo
LE CREUSET
Cast Iron Round Casserole
OUR PLACE
Titanium Always Pan Pro
NINJA
Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer
Dining Essentials
Okay, so you’ve perfected the balance of investment cookware, everyday essentials and those nice-to-have kitchen pieces—but what happens when friends and family arrive and it’s time to actually sit down for a meal?
The dining table or entertaining space deserves just as much consideration. It should feel warm, welcoming and effortlessly put together, without looking like you’ve tried too hard. If you’re not sure where to start, consider a simple set and build from there.
“I tend to favour a consistent foundation rather than buying everything as a perfectly matched set,” Burke tells us. “White dinnerware is a great base because you can take it in so many different directions, while textured glassware can add contrast and depth without feeling trend-driven.”
The key to keeping everything looking cohesive? “The main rule is to make sure the pieces feel like they sit in the same family be it traditional, rustic or contemporary,” says Burke.
That doesn’t mean you need to rush out and buy an entirely new collection, either. Instead, work with what you already own and build from there.
“Look for pieces that feel substantial, comfortable to use and easy to mix with what you already own. Glassware should feel balanced in the hand, flatware should have a good weight to it, and serveware should be practical enough to actually bring to the table,” Burke advises.
marie claire‘s Picks:
SALT&PEPPER
Brae 12 Piece Dinner Set
BED THREADS
Cacao Tablecloth
SOPHIE LOU JACOBSEN
Four Glass Cups
DINOSAUR DESIGNS
Stone Servers Long
Hosting Essentials
There’s another element to hosting a dinner party that goes beyond the kitchen and dining table: what you actually use to serve and enjoy your carefully curated menu. Thankfully, Burke and Shahid have that covered, too.
“I love pieces that can go straight from the kitchen to the table,” Shahid shares. “When you’re hosting, the last thing you want is more washing up or having to transfer everything into serving dishes before people arrive.”
She recommends pieces like Dutch Ovens, which allow you to cook slowly, and spend more time with guests, and can be served directly as a centrepiece on the table.
“The best investment pieces have enough presence to elevate a table, but are restrained enough that they still work as your style and the occasion change,” Burke advises.
But what does that look like in practice? For Burke, it starts with one often-overlooked category: serving cutlery.
“People remember the platters and bowls, then put the food on the table with nothing to actually serve it with. A few good serving spoons, tongs and a proper cake or pie server make hosting feel much more considered.”
It’s not just about the pieces that make a visual impact, either. The practical details can be just as important when it comes to making guests feel comfortable.
“I also think people underestimate having enough of the practical basics, like water glasses, ice and a place for guests to put used napkins or empty bottles. Effortless hosting usually comes from quietly solving those little functional details before people arrive,” he says.
When it comes to incorporating these pieces into your own home, Burke suggests taking a considered approach rather than buying everything at once.
“Start with the pieces that create the greatest visual impact and can be used every time. I’d choose one beautiful serving platter or bowl, a simple set of consistent glassware and good-quality cloth napkins or a tablecloth. Those three things can make very ordinary food and dinnerware feel much more intentional.”
marie claire‘s Picks:
SAARDE
Sunfleck Serving Platter
AURA HOME
Salad Servers
CULTIVER
Linen Table Napkins
MAISON BALZAC
4 Large Goblets
When it comes to investing in your kitchen and dining spaces, Burke says it’s less about spending big and more about knowing where you’ll actually notice the difference.
“Spend more where you’ll feel the difference every time you use it,” he states. “A well-made set of flatware, versatile serving platters and bowls, a good decanter or carafe, and glassware that feels beautiful in the hand are all worth considering.”
“The things we use every day should be beautiful enough to leave out,” Shahid agrees. “A great pan, a simple set of plates, a few good glasses. You can build from there over time, but those pieces alone can completely change how a table feels.”
Certainly not. While there are some pieces worth investing a little more in, that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank. Instead, Burke recommends thinking about how frequently you’ll use each item and prioritising accordingly.
“I would rather invest in a few hardworking pieces with good proportions and then mix them with more affordable linens, simple white dinnerware or vintage finds,” explains Burke. “An expensive object is not automatically an investment if it is too specific to use regularly.”
While an elaborate tablescape might sound appealing in theory, it can quickly become overwhelming. Burke’s advice? Start with a simple foundation and let the details do the talking.
“Keep the foundation simple, then add interest through flowers, candles, linens and the way the food is served,” Burke tells us. “A put-together table is less about how much you spent and more about consistency, proportion and making each choice feel deliberate.”
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